Michelle DeSimone knew she wanted to do something for her brother Nick.
A soccer tournament in his memory was perfect.
DeSimone organized the first-ever memorial soccer tournament in honor of Nick DeSimone, who was brutally murder just over four years ago. The tournament is tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Everett Soccer Dome.
“We’ve been talking a lot about doing something but people were always busy or we didn’t want to think about it,” Michelle said. “But this year I started making phone calls and everything came together quickly.”
Teams for the six-team tournament are comprised of former teammates of Nick and each team is named after a team Nick played on throughout his soccer career, including the Nationals, Force, Pharaohs and Marauders. Nick’s father and Mariner boys soccer coach Vince DeSimone will be a player/coach on the Azzurri team.
Michelle said the teams filled up quickly and that people from as far as Portland, Ore., are coming up to take part.
“This is going to be a big celebration,” said Michelle. “It’s really like a big reunion of people who loved Nick.”
All money raised by the tournament will go to the Friends and Family of Nick DeSimone Fund, which will go to help the Mariner soccer program. In an e-mail, Nick’s mom, Evie DeSimone, said money will eventually also go to college scholarships for eligible candidates.
Michelle said the want is to make it an annual tournament and she’s in the process of creating a non-profit organization so they can raise money in other ways as well.
Michelle said people are welcome to come and watch the game, though the games won’t be cutthrout — “My mom’s playing,” Michelle said with a laugh. For people who can’t participate or watch, the fund is open for donations at Coastal Community Bank.
Michelle designed a trophy for the event and also T-shirts with a picture of Nick for the winning team.
So what does Michelle think Nick would think of the tournament? “I think he’d be really proud that his family did something positive to honor him.”
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